LID ASSEMBLY AND CONTAINER

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to container devices, and more particularly to a lid assembly for removably securing to a container.

Background Information

Water bottles are an essential piece of equipment for campers, hikers, fitness fans, and many other activities that involve some level of physical exertion. NALGENE® water bottles have emerged as leaders in the water bottle industry. It is particularly well-suited for adventurers because it contains a large amount of water, is BPA free, and is generally of convenient shape for placing into a backpack or bag. The wide mouth permits easy filling and pouring of water, and the cap covers the mouthpiece, which protects the drinker from bacteria and germs in the event that the user accidentally drops the bottle.

However, this water bottle, and many similar wide-mouth water bottles, fail in some regards to provide the most convenient method of drinking. Most Nalgene bottles have a strap that connects the cap to the rim, making it virtually impossible to drop or lose the cap, but simultaneously hindering the ability of the user to access water, as the strap leaves the cap dangling in front of the user's face. The cap itself becomes dangerous, as it threatens to whip or bounce in front of the user's face every time the user desires a drink. Further, the cap commonly contains water droplets from the bottle itself, which may then splash into the user's face and eyes. When pouring from the bottle, the cap may obstruct the flow of liquid from the bottle, creating undesirable splashes. What is needed is a means of restraining the cap of a Nalgene or similar wide-mouth water bottle cap so that it does not dangle about the neck of the water bottle. What would be of even more use is such a device that also, or optionally, allows for creative advertising or customization of a water bottle.

Such an invention is provided in the present disclosure. The present invention is an addition to existing water bottles. The cap of Nalgene® bottles contains a small circular cut, which the present invention utilizes in order to attach a disc containing a metal or magnetic insert to the cap. The present invention also includes an elastic band that fits around the water bottle width. The elastic band is made of a magnetic material, which allows the disc piece on the cap to removably attach to the band while the user is drinking, pouring from, or adding liquid to the water bottle. The design of the components is conducive to the application of patterns or graphics, making the present invention likely to be sold or distributed as a souvenir object at events such as sports or festivals. The friction fit nature of the metal disc and the magnetic band makes it easy to remove and exchange one set for a new one at the will of the user. A user may also desire to collect many varieties of bands from different events. The disc has a small hole in it that allows for a user to collect discs and string them together decoratively, or for convenient storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes: a) a lid body having a topwall defining a perimeter edge, and a sidewall extending from the perimeter edge; and b) a button device detachably coupled to the lid body. The button device includes a top surface suitable for displaying a graphic and/or indicia to personalize a container upon which the lid assembly is affixed. Further, the button device is optionally configured to couple to the container upon removal of the lid assembly from the container thereby securing the lid assembly to the container.

In an related aspect, the present invention provides a container reversibly sealed by the lid assembly of the invention. In one embodiment, the fluid container is a Nalgene® water bottle and the lid assembly is threadably attached to the opening of the bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from a detailed description of example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in one embodiment of the invention, wherein the lid assembly 20 is attached to the opening of the container 10;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the container depicted in FIG. 1 in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a button device, in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the button device depicted in FIG. 6 in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the button device depicted in FIG.6; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional front view of the button device depicted in FIG. 7 along line 9-9 in one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

In various aspects, the present invention provides a lid assembly.

With reference to FIGS. 1-9, the lid assembly 20 includes: a) a lid body 22 having a topwall defining a perimeter edge, and a sidewall extending from the perimeter edge; and b) a button device 30 detachably coupled to the lid body 22. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in embodiments, the button device 30 includes a top surface 35 suitable for displaying a graphic and/or indicia to personalize a container upon which the lid assembly is affixed.

In additional aspect, the present invention provides a container 10 reversibly sealed by the lid assembly 20 as shown in FIGS. 1-5.

In embodiments, the present invention includes a feature for removably securing a the lid assembly 20 to the side of the container 10. One part of the apparatus fastens onto the lid of the container and another part fastens around the body of the container. The two parts interact with each other to form a physical connection. The arrangement is particularly suited for Nalgene® water containers. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the lid assembly 20 includes an attachment element 40 operable to tether the lid body 22 to the container 10 upon decoupling of the lid body 22 from the container 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the attachment element 40 is configured as a strap having a first end portion coupled to the lid body 22 and a second end portion coupled to the container 10.

In embodiments, upon uncoupling of the lid assembly 20 from the container 10 the button device 30 is configured to detachably couple to the sidewall of the container 10, optionally via a securing element disposed on the container. As such, the lid body may be coupled with the container 10 to avoid unwanted movement of the lid assembly 20 during drinking.

In embodiments, the button device 30 is added securely to the top of a Nalgene water bottle lid or other similar bottle lid, and pressed into the existing indent, securing the button device to the top surface of the lid by means of a friction fit thereby forming the lid assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the securing device is disposed on the container 10 to which the button device 30 couples and can be configured as a band or strap that is stretched around the container body. In one embodiment, the band is a magnetic or metal material, allowing it to magnetically couple with the button device 30.

The button device 30 is coupled to the topwall of the lid body 22. As shown in FIGS. 8-9 the button device 30 comprises a top portion 50 having a shaft 55 that extends perpendicular to the top portion 50. The shaft 55 may be a cylindrical extrusion that extends perpendicularly from the top portion 50. In embodiments, the shaft 55 comprises a recess 60 thereby defining a hollow lumen within the shaft 55.

The recess 60 assists in avoiding the problem of having to meticulously clean out foreign material that may be deposited during assembly of the button device 30 to the lid body 22 and shaped to allow a small amount of dirt to exist within. In additional embodiments, the shaft 55 include a plurality of edges. The plurality of edges may be a set of rotated cuts into the shaft 55 that assist with the friction fit of the shaft 55 into the shaft 55 lid body.

In one embodiment, the top portion 50 is disc shaped and has a top surface 35 configured for including visible indicia, such as advertising or graphics for personalization of the container. In one embodiment, the top portion 50 is positioned concentrically atop the shaft 55 as shown in FIG. 8.

In embodiments, the button device 30 is composed of metal or magnetic material. The edge of the top surface 35 may be tapered to protect a user's fingers from damage when removing or adding the button device to the lid body 22, without interfering with the user's ability to do so. In an embodiment, the top portion 50 is made together with the shaft 55 to form one continuous piece.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the above examples, it will be understood that modifications and variations are encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.